Fashion for the World Cup: Ghutra

Football fans, following the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar, create colorful images on the streets and in the stands with local clothing produced for their national teams.

Sports fans from around the world, many of whom are coming to the Middle East for the first time, have no problem keeping up with daily life in the capital, Doha.

Like all foreign visitors, curiosity about the language of the country visited finds its answer in Qatar. Arabic words like “I hope”, “Thanksgiving”, “naam”, “la” which are pronounced with an accent on public transport vehicles take their place in the natural flow of conversation.

The interest of football fans is not limited to the symbolic structures of the city, the local and Arab flavors. The streets take on a different look as the local clothing worn by the region’s inhabitants is specially designed with the colors of the national teams competing in the World Cup.

GHUTRA STAMP IN COLORFUL

The ghutra in Qatar was among items such as wigs, glasses, caps and masks, bearing the colors of the national team, often used by football fans to color the stands.

Football fans from other countries around the world also show great interest in the ghutra worn by men living in the region.

Brazilian fan Rafael Rocha, who dressed in ghutra for Brazil’s final group match against Cameroon, said the tournament went very well, saying: “It’s a good mix of culture and the World Cup. I used ghutra for this. The foods are good. I really liked the culture. I went to the museum. The stadiums and the matches are beautiful. Everything is really good.” he said.

Rocha, who wanted Brazil to win the cup, said: “I am a fan of sportsmen. I hope we get as far as we can. And we can play our best game.” he said he.

When asked who he would like Brazil to face if they reach the final, Rocha replied: “Maybe England. It is not an easy team. But I think they have the best luck in the other half of the accessory tree. France is also a tough opponent, but England is more prepared.” he gave the answer.

600 GHUTRA SOLD PER DAY

Providing information on the sales, shop clerk Saurav Palakkeel said that foreign football fans show great interest in local clothing and sell around 600 ghutra every day.

Palakkeel said the first few days of the cup were quiet, but as the matches progressed, fans of the sport flocked to Qatar, saying: “So far, we have outsold Mexican soccer fans. We had many customers from Brazil, USA, UK, Argentina. I heard that more than 40,000 fans came from Mexico. I did not expect this. I thought that Argentina and Brazil would sell more, but I was very surprised by the interest of the Mexican fans”. he said.

Noting that the cup changed the atmosphere in Qatar, Palakkeel said: “I have lived here for 15 years. Everyone is crazy about the World Cup. I think this World Cup is very different from the others. There are unexpected results in matches, unexpected teams win.” he used the phrases. (AA)

Photo: AA